Farmers struggling to cultivate markets

Vendors contending with low-income and ethnic communities see business withering

July 12, 2010|By Kristen Mack, Tribune reporter

Still, most of the people perusing the market on recent Saturdays skewed older and white.

"I wish there were more diversity here now," said Thill, a 42-year resident of Morton Grove. "Most of our community is first-generation. They normally don't meld. I think it will take us, as leaders of the community, to reach out and welcome people."

At the Pilsen Community Market, organizers said they stuck to a traditional farmers market, with a variety of ethnic foods, to appeal to more than one ethnic group.

"My thoughts on all this are to merge all the communities around our market rather than separate them," said Ron Gordon, who sits on the market's board.

Juan Quezada's stand is one of the most popular at the Pilsen market. Although he sells produce that appeals to Hispanic patrons, such as peppers, tamarind beans, quinoa and purple sweet potatoes, he teaches his customers how to prepare ingredients and how long they will stay fresh.

"Now we have the Mexican community coming, that's what we wanted, something to pull the community together," said Gordon's wife, Sallie, who also sits on the market's board. "It really makes us happy when we see our neighborhood reflected at the market."